CHAPTER 7: A SCORE TO SETTLE

Adrian's POV

The silence of the forest surrounding the Silver line Pack’s territory was shattered by the loud crash of wood against stone. The heavy oak desk splintered, sending shards and papers flying across the room. I stood amidst the chaos, my chest heaving with fury, my eyes blazing with an intensity that would make even the bravest wolf cower.

“Damn you, Magnus!” I roared, my voice echoing off the walls. “How dare you humiliate me in my own pack!”

The remnants of the confrontation played over and over in my mind, each repetition stoking the fires of my rage. Alpha Magnus had dared to challenge my authority, to question my decisions, and worst of all, had taken Celine from me right under my nose. The sheer audacity of it made my blood boil.

Lucas, my Beta, stood at the edge of the room, his posture tense and his eyes wary. “Alpha, we must calm down and think strategically. Attacking Magnus outright would be a mistake. We need to regroup and plan our next move carefully.”

I spun around, my glare fixing on Lucas. “Do you think I’m a fool, Lucas? I know exactly what needs to be done. But the indignity of it… to be challenged in such a way...”

Lucas remained silent, understanding that there was no placating me when I was in such a state. My reputation for ruthless control and unwavering authority had been built over years, and any perceived weakness was an affront I could not tolerate.

I paced the room, my mind racing. “We need to remind everyone who the true Alpha is. Magnus will pay for this insolence. We will show him and his pack that the Silver line Pack is not to be trifled with.”

“What do you propose, Alpha?” Lucas asked cautiously.

My eyes narrowed, a sinister smile creeping across my face. “We will strike where it hurts most. We’ll gather information on Magnus’s vulnerabilities, his weaknesses. We’ll use every resource at our disposal to undermine him, to make his pack question his leadership.”

Lucas nodded, understanding my intentions. “We’ll need to be discreet. Any overt actions might provoke retaliation.”

“Of course,” I said, my voice now eerily calm. “We will be strategic, precise. Magnus will regret ever crossing me.”

My mind drifted to Celine. I was humiliated because of her.. It had given me the pretext I needed to justify harsher measures. But now, she was with Magnus, and that made her a liability. I would have to decide what to do about her soon enough.

“Lucas, I want you to increase surveillance on the Red Moon Pack. I want to know their every move. If they so much as breathe wrong, I want to know about it.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Lucas said, bowing slightly before leaving the room to carry out his orders.

I stood alone, my mind a tempest of anger and calculation. Magnus had made this personal, and for that, he would suffer. I was determined to restore my authority and exact vengeance on those who had dared to challenge me. The Silver Line Pack would rise again, stronger and more ruthless than ever.

As I looked out the window, the sun dipping below the horizon, I vowed that I would not rest until Alpha Magnus was brought to his knees. The war between the packs had just begun, and I intended to win it at any cost.

It was time for a meeting after preparing an attack strategy. I and all the other council members were in the meeting room. No other ears were to find out what was in motion.

The dimly lit room hummed with the quiet murmur of my most trusted advisors. Their faces were etched with concern, knowing full well the gravity of the situation. I stood at the head of the table, my presence commanding respect and attention.

“Report,” I demanded, fixing my eyes on the informant standing nervously before me.

The informant, a wiry man with sharp eyes, cleared his throat. “Alpha Magnus’s pack is strong, but not invincible. We’ve identified several key vulnerabilities. Their supply lines are overextended, and their southern border is less fortified than the rest.”

I nodded, already processing the possibilities. “Good. We can use this to our advantage. What about their pack members? Any internal conflicts we can exploit?”

The informant hesitated, which made my patience thin. “Speak up,” I urged, my tone sharp.

“There’s some tension among the younger wolves, particularly those who are dissatisfied with Magnus’s leadership. They could be persuaded to turn against him, given the right incentive.”

A sinister smile tugged at my lips. “Excellent. We’ll need to be subtle, though. I want to sow discord without them realizing our involvement until it’s too late.”

Lucas, my right-hand man, stepped forward. “We should also consider targeting their alliances. If we can isolate the Red Moon Pack, it will weaken their position significantly.”

“Agreed,” I said coldly. “We’ll begin by disrupting their supply lines. A series of covert raids should do the trick. Lucas, you’ll oversee this operation. Use our best scouts and ensure there are no loose ends.”

Lucas nodded. “It will be done, Alpha.”

“We need to destabilize their pack from within,” I said, turning to the informant. “Find those young wolves who are discontent. Offer them whatever they need to turn against Magnus. Money, power, promises—whatever it takes.”

The informant nodded, scribbling notes on a piece of parchment. “I’ll begin contacting them immediately.”

I looked around the room, meeting each advisor’s gaze. “Remember, this is not just about reclaiming Celine or avenging our honor. This is about showing every pack in the region that the Silver line Pack is not to be challenged. We will not be made fools of. Magnus will learn that lesson the hard way.”

With the meeting adjourned, I retired to my private quarters. Alone, I allowed myself a moment of reflection. The path I had chosen was dangerous, but necessary. I couldn’t afford to appear weak, not now, not ever. My legacy depended on it.

As I stared out into the night, my resolve hardened. The Red Moon Pack would fall, and Alpha Magnus would pay for his insolence. And as for Celine… she would learn that there was no escape from the reach of Alpha Adrian.